Local Charity Contributes over £10m to Fife in last year

Citizens Advice and Rights Fife (CARF) has published its most recent Annual Report at its AGM with the organisation reporting an increase of £10.2m in financial gains for clients.
Despite difficulties in meeting the demands placed on the organisation, CARF supported almost 23,000 clients last year with over 40,000 issues, primarily relating to benefits and debt advice.
CARF Chief Executive, David Redpath said, “To record a financial gain to clients of over £10m is testament to the hard work and tenaciousness of our staff and volunteers who are doing their very best for those who need the help and support we can provide. Our fabulous volunteers contributed over 10,000 hours last year without which the organisation quite simply could not operate”.

While the organisation continues to have a positive impact on those accessing services, Mr Redpath noted that the organisation has difficulty in meeting the level of demand placed on it. “I am aware that we are currently able to deal with around 65-70% of the demand at present with long wait times on our phone lines. In order to increase our ability to deal with this we are looking at various strategies including engaging with local community based organisations to upskill and enable them to undertake first stage income maximisation support”.
Over the last 12 months, organisations including Andy’s Mans Club, Glenrothes Strollers Football Club and the YMCA have engaged with CARF and partners to widen access points where people can access income maximisation support. The Fife Benefit Checker, available on the Our Fife website, has been designed to be easy to use and, with more and more organisations knowledgeable in its use, there are an increasing number of ways for communities to access support.

Mr Redpath also highlighted the value of volunteers and appealed for anyone interested in volunteering in CARF to get in touch. “We have recently been awarded Investing in Volunteers award given in recognition of our outstanding volunteer programme. Our volunteers are the beating heart of our organisation and we are keen to increase our numbers and provide a high quality and rewarding volunteering opportunity to those who want to make a real difference to others lives”.

Plans for the coming year include increasing community based face to face advice as well as a review of the current web offering with the website receiving over 100,000 visits each year.
Anyone wishing further information on CARF’s volunteering opportunities should visit www.cabfife.org.uk/volunteer-with-carf

For those wishing to read the Annual Report, it can be read here.